The Bet

Clarke sat outside in the car at LAX. She waited patiently for Janet's arrival. She had no idea she would be there and Clarke couldn't wait to see the look on her face. The doors opened and there she was waking arm and arm with Joey.

She gasped, removing her sunglasses and flashing her beautiful smile. "Oh my gosh what are you doing here? She said excitedly as she slipped out of Joey's grip and quickly walked towards her. Clarke smiled and got out of the car.

"What, no flowers?" Joey scoffed. "Gotta teach this kid how to greet a woman." Janet glanced back at Joey with a surprised look on her face. "I'm just saying." Clarke ignored the sly comment. Besides, she couldn't take her eyes off Janet.

"I couldn't wait to see you so I gave Preston the day off. Wow you look like a goddess." She said to a blushing Janet. "Oh and I brought you a gift that's more precious than Flowers." Clarke opened the door, unstrapped Eissa and took him out of the car. "Wouldn't you agree Joey?" Clarke said with a smirk. Joey glared at her but Janet's face lit up. She hadn't seen them both in over a week. Eissa smiled, looking adoringly and reaching for her. He and Clarke wore matching outfits.

"Oh my gosh he looks adorable! Hi handsome, mommy missed you so so much." Janet said showering him with kisses and then focused her attention to Clarke. "Mommy missed her big baby too." She said flirtatiously." Joey made sure none of the photographers got too close as they started to draw a crowd. Janet rubbed Eissa's head and kissed his nose. He smiled looking back and forth between Janet's and Clarke's smiling faces. Janet glanced at Clarke again.

"I've missed you so much." She said pressing closely against Clarke.

Clarke looked around unsure. There were so many flashing lights and people. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" She asked, looking into Janet's eyes. It would be the first time they would be seen being affectionate in public.

"Now more than ever." She said as she touched Clarke's face and kissed her lips softly. The photographers went crazy, throwing out questions and getting too close for comfort. Clarke hurried to secure Eissa into his car seat. She reached to open the door for Janet but Joey got there first. He closed the door quickly and glared at Clarke.

"What were you thinking bringing Eissa here? It's too dangerous. Use your fucking head kid." He said shaking his head at her. "I don't what she sees in you I swear. She is wasting her time with you and it's only a matter of time before she sees it, and trust me she always figures it out." He snapped at Clarke.

Before she could respond she was surrounded by cameras. Joey backed up slowly and let them swarm her as he just stood back and watched. Her hands were up protecting her face, eyes squinting as she forced her way back around to the driver's. She was finally able to open the door and jump in the car. Janet glanced at her for a moment. She was clearly shaken up.

"Are you okay?" Janet asked. She touched her face bringing Clarke's eyes to meet hers.

"I'm good baby." She said taking a deep breath. "But that shit is going to take some getting use to." She put the car in drive and pulled away, seeing the flashing lights in the distance now.

"Where did Joey go?" Janet asked. Clarke didn't respond. Part of her knew what Joey said about bringing Eissa there as true, however out of line the rest of his words were. She always had a feeling he didn't care to much for her. "Clarke?"

"He left. Once you guys were in the car his job was done. He's not my bodyguard so..." Clarke kept her eyes on the road, purposely not glancing over at Janet.

Janet pulled out her cellphone and called him. "Joey why would you just leave like that. They surrounded her, she barely made it into the car." Janet was clearly upset with him. "She could've gotten hurt Joey."

"My job is and always has been to protect you. Now, you and Eissa. Not her." Although he wasn't yelling, he was loud enough for Clarke to hear. She shook her head and avoided saying anything.

"Protecting her is protecting me Joey. Just like with Eissa. Are we clear?"

He was quiet for a moment, sighed and responded. "Yes ma'am."

"Good. Well we will talk more about this later. Thank you for coming to Paris with me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day." She said and hung up the phone looking at it confused for a moment. That was weird for Joey to act that way. After all, he'd been her bodyguard for ten plus years. He'd never acted that way towards anyone she'd ever been with.

Getting out of her head, she glanced over at Clarke who was focused on the road. Clarke glanced back at her and offered her hand. Taking it, Janet smiled and looked back at Eissa who was already asleep. She'd only been gone a little over a week but she missed them terribly.

"I thought Wissam was going to have him today?" She asked.

"That's where are headed now. I was suppose to take him early but I wanted you to be able to see him when you got home." Clarke responded. Janet smiled and twirled her dreads around her fingers.

"You're always thoughtful. Thank you babe." She just admired her for a moment.

She looked so serious. "What are you thinking about?"

"Just you, I just can't believe it sometimes. You know?"

"Can't believe what?"

"That this isn't all just an amazing dream that I will eventually wake up from." She glanced at Janet again. "If it is, I never want to wake up." She took Janet's hand and kissed it.

As they pulled up to the hotel, Clarke pulled out her phone to text Wissam. She and Janet both got out of the car as he walked outside.

"What no matching clothes for dad to?" He said jokingly after noticing that Clarke and Eissa wore the same outfits. Clarke laughed.

"If you're careful he should be out for the night." She said, handing Eissa to Wissam, being extra careful not wake him.

"Thanks Clarke." Wissam glanced at Janet as she leaned in to kiss Eissa's head. "Hi." He said.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good, and you?"

"I'm doing good thanks."

They all just stood there for a moment. "Okay awkward still." Clarke said breaking the silence as they all laughed.

"We are going to get of here. I gotta my lady home." Clarke said.

As they pulled off and on to the street, Wissam call came in on the car phone. Clarke answered.

"Hey, did we forget something?" She asked.

"No, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about today. Joey called and told me what happened. Although his intentions were good, the things he said to you were inexcusable." Clarke glanced over Janet. She didn't say anything, she just looked at her. Wissam continued. " I hope you know that I don't feel that way at all. Just next time don't take him out of the car. He'd be safer inside."

Clarke thanked him and disconnected the call. She avoided Janet's eyes, but she knew the questions were coming.

"What did he say to you Clarke?" She asked. Clarke didn't respond. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the steering well hard. "Clarke?"

"Baby, it's really not a big deal, can we just let it go." She pleaded with Janet looking over at her for a second.

"It was obviously a big enough deal for Wissam to feel the need to apologize. What did he say to you?"

Clarke sighed. "I don't want to start any drama baby. Please just let it go."

"Pull the car over please." Janet said. Clarke hit her turning signal and pulled over to the side of the road. Janet just looked at her. "I need to know what he said. He is not going to disrespect you... ever. I will make sure of it. Now I need to know what he said, please." She asked.

Clarke sighed. "He told to use my fucking head and it was dangerous for me to bring Eissa out to the airport like that. Which I'm so sorry for today baby. I was just excited to surprise you." Clarke hesitated for a moment. "He said her doesn't know what you see in me and that I'm a waste of your time and which you'll figure out soon." Clarke brushed a tear away quickly.

"Are you kidding me? He's got some nerve. I'm calling him back right now." She went to dial him up and Clarke took the phone from her hands.

"Janet he has been around a lot longer than I have so he is protective over you guys, and here I come out of nowhere... so I get it."

"Clarke that means nothing. If he ever disrespects you that way again, he will find himself unemployed and I mean that.

"Baby please, can we deal with it tomorrow?I missed you." She said glancing briefly away from the road. "It's our first night alone together in over a week. Can we please just enjoy it? Please baby don't let this ruin our night." She took Janet's hand and kissed it.

Janet sighed. "Okay babe, we will handle this at a later time, yes?"

Clarke nodded. "Yeah." She turned the car on and got back on the road.

Janet smiled brightly as they pulled up to the house. She'd stayed in some of the most upscale places and homes but the home her and Clarke were creating was her absolute favorite.

"Welcome home beautiful." Clarke said.

The front door flew open and Gil and Noah came running out of the house, Wade followed behind them. Janet laughed and screamed as they surrounded her, showering her with hugs and kisses.

"What are you guys doing here?" Janet asked them as they hugged her from both sides. They hooked arms and walked towards the door. Wade kissed her cheek as they past and helped Clarke carry in the bags.

"We wanted to make you a welcome home dinner." Noah said smiling. As they headed through the dining room and into the kitchen.

Janet took in the aroma of the food. Her stomach growled loudly as Clarke came up from behind and hugged her tight.

"Hungry baby." She teased rubbing her stomach.

"A little." Janet said, blushing. She turned to face Clarke, wrapped her arms around her neck and played in her hair. "I love you so much Clarke, you know that right?"

"I know baby." Clarke said and kissed her nose. "Let's go eat." She took Janet by the hand and lead her into the kitchen.

They took a seat at the dinner table while Gil, Noah and Wade prepared their plates and brought them out. Janet watched them for a moment. Gil approached Noah, pressed closely against him and gave him a kiss.

Her eyes widened and she quickly glanced at Wade. To her surprise he smiled.

"What about me... don't I get some love too." Gil and Noah smiled and both kissed him one by one. Janet looked at Clarke. She laughed.

"Apparently it's his new thing. Gil calls them a throuple." Clarke said smiling.

"I leave for a week and everything changes." Janet said.

They all sat around the table laughing and talking. Janet told them all about her trip to Paris, gave them gifts she'd brought back for them and showed them the pictures from the photo shoot.

"Giiiirrrl!" Noah squealed. "I swear no one slays like you. You look absolutely gorgeous." He said to a blushing Janet.

"Thanks Noah."

Clarke glanced around at all of them. She had never been happier than she is in her life right now. She thought about the ring and felt butterflies in her stomach.

"Oh Clarke," Noah said, "We are all set to help you tomorrow by the way." He smiled and sipped his champagne. Gil and Wade kicked him underneath the table.

"What's tomorrow?" Janet asked curiously. Everyone looked around nervously, trying to quickly come up with an explanation.

"Clarke didn't tell you?" Wade chimed in. "She is auditioning for my upcoming runway event. She is going to come through tomorrow and Noah is gonna do a photoshoot with her and help her build a portfolio too. As for me, I'm gonna help her work on her sexy stud walk."

Clarke had been holding her breath but relaxed, looked at Janet and smiled.

"Surprise." She said. Janet smiled and wrapped her arms around her.

"That's great baby! I know you'll get it, also you know I'll be right there, stage side cheering you on." Clarke glanced over her shoulder at Wade. He shrugged. Thank you, she mouthed. Noah on the other hand just kept mouthing I'm sorry over and over.

Wade looked and Noah and they both stood up.

"There is actually one other reason we wanted to come here tonight." He looked at Noah and nodded.

"Gil, we have been spending a lot of time together and well," he paused to let Wade finish.

"We were wondering, if you would consider moving in with us?" He said with a hopeful look in his eyes.

Gil's face was priceless. Clarke and Janet smiled at each other and looked at Gil awaiting his response. He stood up and walked over to join them.

"Are you guys serious?"

"Yeah we are." Noah said, holding out his hand, revealing a powder blue key. Gil took the key from the palm of Noah's hand and held it to his chest looking at them back and forth.

"It's yours if you want it to be." Wade added.

Gil smiled. "No one had ever asked me to move in with them. Are you guys sure it's not too soon?" He asked.

Wade held his hand out and pulled Gil between them. He touched his face.

"If it's too soon for you, we completely understand and we will be patient until your ready. Right babe." He said to Noah.

"Yeah of course, there is no rush at all." Noah said.

Janet and Clarke were on the edge of their seat, waiting for him to answer.

"Okay." He finally said. "Yes, I'll move in with you."

"Yes? Are you serious?" Noah said with excitement. Gil nodded and Wade scooped him up into his arms and spun him around.

"You won't regret it at all. We'll take care of you." He said smiling as they both hugged him. Janet and Clarke stood and applauded them as they burst into laughter.

Everyone pitched in to clean up after dinner. Clarke and Janet cleared the table, while Wade put the leftover food away. Gil and Noah washed dishes, flirting and throwing soap suds at each other. Everyone helped dry and put away the dishes.

Janet approached the guys from behind.

"Hey loves, thank you so much for such a wonderful dinner. Everything was really good." She said hugging and kissing Wade and Noah goodnight. "And you kid," she continued. "Congrats on your new relationship and this exciting journey you all are about to go on and I'm even more excited to have you living so close to me now." She said kissing his head and hugging him. "You guys make one hot..." she glanced at Clarke .

"Throuple babe." Clarke said and laughed.

"Yes, thanks babe." She said with a giggle. She said her good nights and headed for the bedroom to shower and get ready for bed.

"I'll be right there, gonna make sure these three get across the street safely." She said touching Janet's hand as she walked past her.

"Hurry back." Janet said and disappeared into the bedroom.

"Wade," Clarke said as they walked down the driveway. "You saved my ass in there tonight, I don't know what I would've done. My whole plan would've been ruined." She said.

"Yeah Noah," Gil teased, taking his hand and kissed it.

"I'm so sorry Clarke. I wasn't thinking."

"Hey," Clarke said touching his cheek. "It's cool gorgeous, no harm done." She said. "Now I just to come up with some photoshoot pictures to show her when I got to pick her up tomorrow." She joked.

"Oh that wasn't all bs Clarke. That was a job offer. I've been talking to my people about you for weeks. You would be perfect for the show." Wade said.

"Are you fucking with me right now?" She said and pulled Wade into a hug. "That would be so dope!"

"So is that a yes then?" He asked.

"Hell Yeah it is man!"

Clarke walked them all the to their front door. Noah and Wade kissed her on the cheek and said goodnight.

"I'll be right there babies." Gil said, smiling back at them before they disappeared inside. He lit a cigarette and smiled at Clarke. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be man. I'm nervous as hell though. I mean dude, I'm about to ask Janet Jackson to marry me. She is the woman of my dreams, my kid crush, my icon, the woman-"

"Okay bitch I get it damn." They laughed. "Clarke The is nothing to be nervous about. She is ready and so are you. I have never seen that woman look at anyone the way she looks at you. It's going to be amazing."

Clarke took him by the hand and pulled him close.

"Thank you for being such a good friend to me and for always being there for Janet."

"Hashtag yall Daddy." He joked. "We are family now boo. Now go try to get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I love you Clarke."

"Love you too Gil. Goodnight."